Banks, Gaston girls fare well in winter all-league voting

Two of the year’s biggest success stories combine for six winter all-star selections

By Zack Palmer

The Forest Grove News-Times, Mar 11, 2010, Updated Mar 11, 2010

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Banks and Gaston, two of the biggest surprises of the 2009-10 girls basketball season, were rewarded for their outstanding play with a combined six all-league selections.

Banks, which finished third in the Cowapa League after five straight fifth-place finishes, nabbed three all-league awards, including a Defensive Player of the Year trophy for sophomore Abby Hardie.

Hardie averaged an eye-popping 4.7 steals per game, and also contributed 8.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists a night to earn First Team All-Cowapa status. She was joined by teammate and fellow sophomore Marla Gooding, who led the team in scoring at 10.1 points per game.

Senior post Kalin Morris was an Honorable Mention All-Cowapa selection after leading the Lady Braves with 6.2 rebounds per contest.

Gaston earned three all-league selections after a breakout season of its own. The Lady Greyhounds went 7-7 in Northwest League play and finished fifth — a remarkable feat considering that the team won just four league games in the previous five seasons.

Senior Jessica Garner was a Second Team All-Northwest selection after averaging 8.1 points and 3.8 assists per game.

Teammates Chelsea Felker and Hannah Van Dyke both earned honorable mention status. Felker averaged 5.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while Van Dyke added 4.8 points and 8.0 boards per contest.